Angela Taylor

Fighting for Our Children Angela Taylor, Stop the Violence Activist, Writer, Performing and Visual Artist, Playwright and Filmmaker

By Patricia M. Hammock, M.Ed./AET

Known as “Mz. Breezy, the Hip Hop Activist”, Angela Taylor is passionate about using her life experiences and Godgiven talents to uplift others. A literal one-woman-show, Angela recruits vulnerable youth from Nashville’s projects and re-directs their energy and talents to positive outlets in the arts, music, theater and film.

Angela began writing short stories at 9 years old as a way to excise the demons of domestic violence, poverty and homelessness. This talent later grew into the spoken word and songwriting as she sought to fill a void in mainstream music which often glorifies violence, self-destructiveness and drug use. She organized a Where is the Peace Panel for the Youth and wrote Peaceful Swagg, choreographed by a youth dancer, Sani and Ms. Angel from ASSET Academy, of such quality and caliber that they could be performed anywhere.

Through her company, Wings Lifted Productions, Ms. Taylor has produced an album entitled Wingslifted, and singles: Peaceful Swagg, the Women Who Rock Nashville Theme Song, and Salon Life. Her theatrical productions include Let them Shine I and II, God Gave Me Christmas I and II, Shadow of an Eye, I See You (short skit), and I Shall Not Be Moved. Angela spread her wings as a screenwriter with the film adaptation of Shadow of an Eye.

A stop-the-violence activist, Angela has penned anti-bullying and antidomestic violence plays, programs, and community rallies. “The reason I do this is because I grew up in the projects seeing a lot of this. I heard gunshots; I experienced homelessness and domestic violence as a child and as an adult. “My dream was always to do something about it, but I didn’t know it would be through music.” Angela’s gifts have afforded her the opportunity to perform locally, nationally and globally, in Atlanta,

New York, Alabama, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Chicago, Wurzburg and Manheim, Germany, and, of course, Nashville. Angela has performed for Dad’s Over Destruction, and many other groups, and sponsored the Mother’s Music Festival to give back to mothers in the Nashville community.

Ms. Taylor’s play, Shadow of an Eye, has been featured as a part of the Destiny Theater’s Annual Shades of Black Theater Festival, produced by local artists, prison advocates and community activist, Mr. Shawn Whitsell.

Shawn said, “We were honored to have Angela Taylor’s play “Shadow of An Eye,” as a part of the Shades of Black Theatre Festival last year. Part of our mission is to give young artists, like Angela, a platform to display their work. As someone who is passionate about ending domestic violence, I thought it was particularly important to have a play that addressed this issue in our festival. The show sold out, the audience was very engaged and responsive, and even with the tough subject matter, people enjoyed themselves. People lingered for quite a while after the show, which is a great indicator of how it resonated with them. I applaud Angela’s efforts to spread awareness and I know her work will be even more impactful as she grows as an artist.”

Ms. Taylor’s audiences have been moved to tears on more than one occasion. “At Shadow of an Eye, the three hundred-seat theater was standing-room-only. “People laughed; people cried,” Angela said. Audience reactions – those who come to her in tears afterwards – affirmed the play helped people understand the purpose in their pain, how to overcome it, and break its cycle. “Reaching so many people’s hearts is rewarding.”

Knowing she is walking in her purpose, Angela said, “God won’t stop giving me this path and this direction. He is showing me how to heal myself through healing others.” She continued, “I found something inside of me that God wanted me to see. I can’t keep it to myself; that would mean I couldn’t help anybody and nobody could help me. I don’t want people to stay stuck in hurt and pain.”

My passion is young people because they experience domestic violence, bullying, poverty, homelessness and weak support systems. I get them involved in dance or give them a chance to act for the first time. I will pull my cast from the projects and get them into rehearsal. I talk to them because it is like talking to myself. If she had the chance to speak to her five-year-old self, Ms. Taylor said, “I would tell her, you are hiding now, but not forever, then I would just hold her.” Her message to the young people with which Angela works is, “Whatever you are going through right now, there is something greater ahead; Just keep pushing.”

Generous with her talents, Ms. Taylor said, “God Gave Me Christmas went on a three-city tour benefitting the homeless.” “People helped me feed them and the proceeds were dedicated to homeless victims. We don’t know what the homeless have been through, but God doesn’t ignore anyone. I know what it feels like; I’ve been there. I’ve lived it and I show it through my art.”

Ms. Taylor honors her mentors, Michael Elwood, of Acting in Place, who inspired her to write and Clemmie Greenlee who Angela says, “took her under her wing” in her stop the violence work. Further, after hearing Tanya Davis’s story, Angela felt she had no excuse but to push forward with her gifts.

Angela said it is a dream come true to be featured by Women Who Rock Nashville. “It is amazing to be a part of something so unique that focuses on women empowering other women from all walks of life.” Her work is rewarding, but she is weary and self-supporting. “My plays should be at TPAC, but I don’t have the backing.”

Those who may wish to become involved in Ms. Taylor’s youth activism can assist in a number of ways. Angela desires to learn how to write grants and seeks a mentor in this area. A play and performance support team and stage manager are needed “to have my back so that I don’t get so tired and can make the most of my God-given talents.” Ms. Taylor welcomes commissioned (paid) work and any other forms of sponsorship that would allow her to demonstrate her talent to reach larger audiences.

For booking and sponsorship opportunities, please email

angela.taylor1330@gmail.com or womenwhorocknashville615@gmail.com